Flat Top's "remove the lock" project: complete "pix and all"

[Old Navy]

Mick have you thought about making the parts for those who for whatever reasons can not make the parts, but could do the install or have someone do it for them.

Heck if nothing else you might find yourself making enough in a rather short time to buy a classic S&W for yourself. I would see nothing wrong with paying for your ready made parts and instructions. Not sure how many different sizes they have for the internals but there is at least two and maybe three.

Being an old fart with arthritic hands and back I would buy the set-up off you for a J frame for sure and most likely my N frame. Heck if I got a good buy of say 3 for $50 to $75 range I would most likely buy three, two for sure.

 

[flat top]

ol timer: I just started it with a jewelers file and cut it with a hack saw. That is a small part, and even the hack saw blade puts a very thin slot in the end of the screw.

 

[flat top]

Old Navy; I originally intended to produce this as a kit, but with the variations in manufacturing tolerances there would still be the "file to fit" for each individual gun. Smiths are very well made, but, they are still mass produced.........I opted to keep the copywrite on this design, through my company, but, I would encourage any forum member to use the design, and if you know a gunsmith or tinkerer that could make them for you, I would encourage you to download the info and have it done. I know what you mean about old hands and arthritis, but mine made these parts (and it wasnt easy, I assure you!!!)

 

[JimJeep]

Excellent work! This should be a sticky.
Thanks for all the hard work.

 

[flat top]

Thanks Jim!

 

[ol timer]

I would be interested in a file to fit kit. Heck, I would be interested in a raw material kit.

Originally posted by flat top:
...I opted to keep the copywrite on this design, through my company, but, I would encourage any forum member to use the design, and if you know a gunsmith or tinkerer that could make them for you, I would encourage you to download the info and have it done...

This is very generous.

Thank you,
ot

 

[Joed49]

It's good to see this thread. I own 2 with the IL and to be honest I could care less.

What does bother me though is I'm tired of hearing "I won't buy a S&W because of the IL and MIM parts". My god, it's a S&W! Get over it.

Should I ever desire to lose the lock this was good to know.

 

[Mickstix]

Wow, glad to see this thread finally took off!! FT, I told ya if ya posted it, they'd come..

Im almost tempted to start "Looking" for an IL gun, just so I can try and make one of these things!! hehee..

 

[flat top]

Mick; I think that you have been looking for a good excuse to buy a new Smith.....I am glad I could help you out in that respect!!! LOL!!! Its good to see that our efforts are receiving some interest....now, all we need to do is get someone to make one for themselves, and report on their success.....with photo's of course!!!

 

[flat top]

J; Mine had the lock...it never failed. Didnt even know there was a IL problem till I came here! You folks caused me a lot of work!!!! LOL!!! My only Smith that has this is the 44 Mag snubbie...it is a "work" gun, which means it "has to work"!!! I just didnt want to assume that my lock would not break, so out it came.

Thomas; Thanks! Make the kit...then install the gun.....Man, you guys can come up with all sorts of ideas to get yourself a new Smith!!!!

 

[Mickstix]

Kabump! Cant let this one slide too far.. Too much good info to let it go.. Mod's if you see this, hows a bout a sticky???

 

[S&W38]

Bump to top.

Another vote that this information is too valuable to allow it to vanish into obscurity.

 

[TxCol]

I think that someone could make this up as a kit and sell hundreds here. I would take 5 just for me.

Doc

 

[DrDremel]

If a quality kit is made, I'll buy some as well. I might even buy more new S&W revolvers.

 

[Retired in 2001]

Flat top Thanks this page is another that I bookmarked

 

[flat top]

Thanks all! To "manufacture" this kit, and to make it a viable product, would require EDM programs, machinery, etc, and the cost would be high. To deminish the cost there would have to be thousands of customers, and thousands of dollars spent in advertising to attract them. For myself, or someone else to actually sit at a bench and make kits by hand, would also not be cost/time effective. Thats why I offered up this idea to forum members. If someone would take the lead, and make an attempt to make this kit themselves, I think they would see that its not really that hard to do...just takes a little patience and attention to detail. It took me about five hours from the conception of the idea to the installation of the kit. I would thing that the kit, now that the directions, etc, are layed out, should take someone about half that time to build and install. Again, I would encourage a forum member to give it a shot, and if someone during the building process needs some help or assistance they are free to contact me by email.

 

[Mickstix]

Bump! (Mods, please sticky/pin this thread!)

 

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally posted by flat top:
For myself, or someone else to actually sit at a bench and make kits by hand, would also not be cost/time effective.

You could make the kits using MIM parts to save time and money. Plus it'd match the hammer and trigger.

Smitty

 

[flat top]

Smitty; you have hit the nail on the head!!!! what an idea!!! Nothin like foriegn made parts in an American made gun, eh?

 

[Steve M.]

Would you mind posting a pic or 3 looking down from the top of the gun onto the plate? The 1st photo almost shows it, but I was wondering what it looks like from the top down. Much thanks.